"I really feel that Liza would have been a fresh and exciting Darna," said Erik Matti, as he was asked about his thoughts on the future of the movie adaptation about the Pinay superheroine.

His decision to walk away from the project and Liza Soberano's subsequent announcement that she has backed out of the role because of a finger injury has left fans with a huge "what if."

What if the stars did align? Would the "potential" Matti mentioned about Soberano in his interview with Ricky Lo of the Philippine Star to create a modern take on the classic character have been realized by now? Would we have a seen a costume already?

It's a shame but fans will have to move forward --and for Matti, there's only one actress, he told Lo in the same interview, who comes close to fitting the Darna he has been envisioning.

"After her [Soberano], I only see Nadine Lustre so far as someone who can be Darna. Very sultry. She has a lot of female sensuality and at the same time still looks tough and very Filipina," he said.

"The key to casting Darna has always been someone who can look plain and ordinary in her Narda alter ego but can be tough, spunky and can be very sexy when she transforms to Darna."

"Nadine can look all of that."

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ill be in @hm at SM makati on march 23, 10am. cant wait to see yall! #SelectedByNadine #NadineforHM

A post shared by Naddie 🦋 (@nadine) on Mar 21, 2019 at 6:27am PDT

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secret’s out!!! teamed up with @hm for a special swim collection. hitting stores March 14 💕#NadineforHM #SelectedbyNadine

A post shared by Naddie 🦋 (@nadine) on Feb 28, 2019 at 2:52am PST

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iwu2 : @mrfrysauce

A post shared by Naddie 🦋 (@nadine) on Apr 9, 2019 at 9:25am PDT

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#ULANMovieDay6

A post shared by Naddie 🦋 (@nadine) on Mar 18, 2019 at 3:12am PDT

It echoes the sentiment Lustre's supporters have.

Lustre was asked about this loud clamor for her to inherit the costume and she said: "I super appreciate that. For them to see me as a person who is strong and very empowered --Darna is a strong woman and nakikita nila sa akin 'yun, it's good,"

She did add that the role should be given to someone "who is deserving" and "who can really give [it] justice."

• READ: Nadine sends sympathies to Liza after 'Darna' exit

Lustre is just one of the names being thrown by fans about a possible replacement for Soberano. Others included are Pia Wurtzbach, who has said that she plans to audition for it, Maja Salvador, and Jessy Mendiola, to name a few.

• SLIDESHOW: Who will be the next Darna? Netizens react